The alter-globalization network Attac has reacted with severe criticism to the raids of offices, housing co-operatives, bookshops and cultural centers by the Federal Prosecutor and the police in Berlin, Hamburg and four more federal states.

„The political effect of this large-scale operation is obvious: It is an attempt to discredit the whole democratic protest against the G8 summit“ said Peter Wahl of Attac’s steering committee.

More than 900 police officers were searching more than 40 „objects“ which are seen to be associated with the protests against the G8 summit in Heiligendamm. The raids were justified with the suspicion of formation of a terrorist organization according to paragraph 129a of the criminal code. According to the police, there were no arrests in the context of the raids.
„A totally ham measure, which is totally incompatible with the principle of commensurability of means in a state of law“, said Wahl. „It is in line with the general law-and-order-course of Federal Minister of the Interior Wolfgang Schäuble”.
Peter Wahl criticized in this context the so called terrorism paragraph as a gateway for abuse of power by the police. „This shows again how paragraph 129a is being misused.“ Investigations after paragraph 129a empower the police to large-scale observations, raids and confiscations even of non-suspects.

Attac also criticized the announcement of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to reintroduce the Schengen checks at the borders during the G8 summit. Attac calls on the politicians in charge not to poison the political climate in the run-up to the G8 summit. Peter Wahl: " They can not intimidate us. We will keep mobilizing for our peaceful protests against the G8 summit.“

For questions:

• Peter Wahl, Tel. +49 - 160 - 823 4377
• Werner Rätz, Tel. +49 - 163 - 2423 541